Nazareth Roadrunners

AT A GLANCE
Conference East Suburban Catholic
Home Field Spirit Field, 1209 W. Ogden Ave., La Grange Park
Last year’s record 6-15 (0-9, 10th in ESCC)
Coach Doug Hunt

Top returners
Mike Kocurek sr. D
Jesus Campos sr. MF
Frankie Rodriguez sr. MF/F
Carlos Messer-Velazquez sr. D
Jamie Messer-Velazquez so. GK
Alex Wilkinson so. F
Billie Rightenzaler jr. MF/D

KEY MATCHES
Sept. 1-6 at St. Patrick Invitational The Roadrunners annualy open their season at this tournament and traditionally perform well.
Oct. 6 vs. St. Joseph Nazareth usually gets up for its crosstown rivals.
Oct. 8 vs. St. Viator This is the second in a tough three-game stretch to end the regular season against St. Joseph, St. Viator and Benet.

WHAT TO WATCH
Nazareth looks to take another step forward in what is coach Doug Hunt’s third year at the helm. The Roadrunners won just three games in his first year in 2006 and doubled that total to six last year. It might be a tall tale to double that, but Hunt feels this team can improve on last year’s mark. Another goal for Nazareth could be in the East Suburban Catholic Conference, where the program has yet to win a game in five-plus years of being in the league. Nazareth graduated four players from last year’s team — all defensemen — so goalie Jamie Messer-Velazquez, who was awesome for most of last season, will have to be equally impressive this year, as well.
The Roadrunners won’t be short on senior leadership as it returns two solid defenders — Kocurek and Carlos Messer-Velazquez and two midfielders — Rodriguez and Campos. The numbers are also starting to turn in Nazareth’s favor as it has seen a steady increase in players, but the Roadrunners go into battle with seven freshmen and sophomores on the team in 2008.

COACH SPEAK
Doug Hunt
Q: What does the team look like this year?
A: We’re going to be very young. We’ll have seven frosh/soph players up on varsity this year. They’re all skilled players, so that’s good. The numbers are going up, too, so that’s a positive for us. I think we’ve closed the gap with some of the teams in our league.
Q: What do you think the strength of the team is?
A: I actually think it’s Jamie in goal. He had a great year last year and he kept us in a lot of games. There were some great goalies I coached at Oak Park and I think he ranks right up there with them.
Q: Do you see any weaknesses?
A: Just getting them to understand the intensity of the game. When we play a team like St. Viator, Benet or Carmel, that’s how the game is supposed to be played. They take it to another level and I want us to get there.